Today the teaching about the Judgment Seat of Christ is absent from too many evangelical pulpits. Why is it that most evangelical pastors, who are assigned by the Lord to proclaim the whole counsel of God, fail to have serious sermons about this coming payday for the believers in Jesus Christ? This was part of the discussion I had this past week with a good friend. We can’t answer the question with certainty, but we believe that such a subject focuses on our accountability, and accountability is something that many believers don’t particularly like. (This is one of those subjects that usually doesn’t fill the pews of the church). And furthermore, some pastors simply stay away from prophetic subjects, seeing them as too complex or controversial. But our appearing before the Lord Jesus Christ will be an awesome event and it is an event that will profoundly impact our position and privilege in the future, forever kingdom of God. The Apostle Paul succinctly covered the matter for us when he said,
Things which eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him. (1 Cor. 2:9)
There are certain key points about this coming “payday” that would be valuable to remember and to have fixed in our thinking.
#1 – God’s original purposes related to fellowship and rulership will be restored in the future kingdom of God and the judgment seat of Christ plays a significant part in that.
The future kingdom of God (Rev. 20-22) is best understood by looking at God’s original intentions in the creation account (Gen. 1-3). The restoration of fellowship through the work of Jesus Christ on the cross is well understood by most believers, but the restoration of rulership through the Son of Man is often overlooked. Rulership in the coming kingdom is a matter of focus at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Believers who are faithful in this life will rule in the next one. (2 Tim. 2:11-13). This emphasis on ruling and reigning with Christ is a theme found in the N.T. and is an issue that will be featured at the Judgment Seat.
#2 – Salvation is a free gift of God that once received cannot be lost, but rewards can be lost.
The New Testament makes a distinction between rewards that are earned by good works and salvation, which is a gift from God with no human works involved. Salvation is always viewed as a gift freely given by God based on the cross. Believers do not earn salvation, nor can they lose it. Believers may, however, lose reward depending on whether their works are “good or bad” (2 Cor. 5:10; 1 Cor. 3:15). The Apostle is clear that believers at the Judgment Seat will be “recompensed” (given a paycheck). It could be good or not so good.
#3 – Sin does not affect our POSITION as children of God but it does affect our present FELLOWSHIP as well as our future REWARDING.
All sin was fully paid for on the cross by the Lord Jesus. His work of redemption was complete. This includes sins we may commit today or in the future. While our sins as believers will not remove us from our position as God’s children, we are aware that they do have consequences. These sins, if not confessed, will not only hurt present fellowship and the quality of life now, but they will also impact our rewards at the Judgment Seat. So, it is unwise and unbiblical to say that since Christ paid for all our sins, sin will not affect what transpires at the Judgment Seat.
#4 – In the Bible, rewards are presented as an important motivation for living the Christian life, but not the only motivation.
Many Christians view rewards negatively, suggesting that they are a poor motivation for serving Christ. It is vital to remember that rewards are presented by Jesus and the Apostles as an important motivation for Christian living. The Apostle Paul informs us that he was motivated by four realities: (1) by rewards, (2) by the fear of God, (3) by a love for Christ and (4) by the real needs of people (2 Cor. 5:10-16). If rewards are an inferior motivation, then Jesus and the Apostles got it wrong.
#5 – The criteria used at the Judgment Seat consists of three factors.
We are not left in the dark as to how the Lord will evaluate believers. First, Jesus will use the Word of God, because it is the revealed will of God that a believer is to follow. Obedience to the commands and principles of the Word is at the core of our evaluation. Secondly, faithfulness is a key criterion, as each believer will be evaluated by what was given to him by the Master (1 Cor. 4:1-5). The issue is being faithful, not being famous. High profile Christians are often thought to be ones who will receive great reward, but that might not be the case. All believers, however, can be faithful to Christ. Third, our motivations will also be part of our evaluation. The question will be why we did what we did as we lived for and served the Lord Jesus.
#6 – Believers who live selfishly have something to be concerned about.
The Judgment Seat is an event where faithful servants are rewarded by the King. But it is also a place where the unfaithful, disobedient child of God will be confronted by the Master. Not everyone will hear “well done, good servant.” Unfortunately, some will hear “you worthless slave” (Luke 19:11-27). Believers who live self-indulgent lives and who have not taken seriously living for Jesus Christ will face loss of reward and their time at the Judgment Seat will likely be one of much shame. These believers may presently wish to ignore living obediently now, but they will not be able to do so in the future.
#7 – Failure and sin in life, when repented of, do not eliminate the possibility of significant reward at the Judgment Seat.
What believer is there who is not chagrined by some past sin and failure in his or her life. But the believer is to take heart by looking at men who sinned (like David and Peter) and yet will be rewarded greatly. Since all believers have experienced failure in their lives, we are not to become despondent and give up. Repentance of the sin, followed by living diligently for the Lord Jesus, will bring about reward. As long as we are alive, the promise in Hebrews 4:1 of entering His rest (reward) remains.
#8 – The Lord is generous and desires to greatly reward His children.
We know that the Lord delights in giving good gifts to His children (Luke 11). He is not stingy nor is He reluctant to give generously to believers. He does not have a limited supply of rewards that need to be rationed out. That which limits His generosity is the unfaithfulness of believers. Even our trials are designed to make it possible for Him to reward His children in a greater way. He is the creator of all good and perfect gifts (James 1:17) and His desire to lavish these upon His own children.
#9 – Believers need to carefully evaluate their lives “today” to see if they are truly trusting and obeying.
This emphasis upon “today” being the appropriate time for laboring and evaluating is an emphasis of the book of Hebrews. Believers really cannot afford to put off to a future day serious reflection about their own walk with Christ. It is vital to decide to live fully and completely for the Lord Jesus now, and then to daily build on that decision in the power and guidance of the Spirit.
#10 – All toil, suffering and sacrifice will be more than worth it when we see our Lord Jesus.
Being a faithful follower of Jesus in this present evil world is not at all easy. It requires all diligence (2 Pet. 1:5-12), alertness and sobriety. Being “in” the world but not “of” the world is the requirement (note John 17:11-16). Christians are seen as aliens, strangers and those whose citizenship is in heaven (Heb. 11:13-16; 1 Pet. 2:11). All of this makes the task of being a faithful child of God a difficult one since Satan who is seen as the god of this world is actively opposed to such living.
But the believer has impressive resources in the Scriptures, the Holy Spirit and fellow believers. There is no doubt that when we see the Lord Jesus, all suffering and sacrifice will be immediately seen as worth it. In the words of that faithful, diligent man, the Apostle Paul....
“The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” (Romans 8:18)
“Momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison.” (2 Corinthians 4:17)
Or to put it in less inspired terms but ones that are still accurate: “only one life, it
will soon be past; only what’s done for Christ will last.”
As we conclude, we again should reinforce a central truth of the New Testament that our future rewards are determined by our present living. Whether it is something we deem minor like “the cup of cold water” given to someone in need or that which is seen as highly important like sharing the gospel, the Lord Jesus is aware of what we do or don’t do. It should be our focus to live well for Him today, avoid the darkness of this world system and be diligent to “abide” (remain in fellowship) with Him.
It has been said that the Christian life is more like a marathon than a 100-meter sprint. However, it seems that it is more like a marathon with an obstacle course added! But as hard and as difficult as the Christian life can often be in this unrighteous world, when we remember the finish line we are encouraged to keep on keeping on. When we are finally with the Savior, it will be worth it. Seeing Him in His majestic glory will be an unbelievable moment for all of us. And making our appearance before Him at His Judgment Seat and receiving His approval will be an amazing and enlightening moment for sure. Payday is coming.
